‘It makes so much sense to combine dance with ASL because, even though deaf people can’t hear it, dance itself, like ASL, is a visual language.’

Alexandra LaPlaca, Hicksville

“Dance is just me. It’s the purest form of self-expression that I will ever get. I feel most comfortable and at home when I am dancing. I fell in love with dance at one of my first recitals. Everybody tells me that I cried because I didn’t want to go on. If you were to tell me that now, I wouldn’t believe you because I beg to be onstage all the time! I remember being in the back of the audience waiting to bring my dad on, because dads were joining us.

“I’ve performed at June Claire Dance Center my whole life, and we do shows at the Tilles Center. In sixth grade, we had the option to take American Sign Language. I wanted to learn more about it, and I fell in love with it.

“There’s a musicality to signing because everyone signs at their own pace, and there’s different pauses and beats. There’s a whole community of deaf people who take dance. It makes so much sense to combine dance with ASL because, even though deaf people can’t hear it, dance itself, like ASL, is a visual language.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do what makes you happy.

“Dance is performance in storytelling. I’m also a dance student at Long Island High School for the Arts, and I’m looking at dance programs in colleges now. I’d eventually like to get my master’s degree in deaf education. I also want to continue performing.

“Through student-teaching at June Claire, I’ve learned that the best way to connect with kids is to be open and transparent with them. It’s important to realize with kids who are passionate about dancing that I was once that same kid who looked up to my student teachers and teachers, watched them dance and rewatched videos to see how they moved.

“I feel so privileged to be where I am with the ability that I have now. I’ve learned to let loose and not get in my head as much, which is hard, but it’s the only way that I’ll fully enjoy it. Dance has always been therapeutic. Any stress I have evaporates when I’m in the studio.

“For other people who want to dance, I recommend they try a bit of everything and see what makes them feel the most at home. I don’t need to dance with anyone watching; I can just be in a studio with music and I’d be happy. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do what makes you happy.”

Interviewed by Iris Wiener